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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 154 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 154

  Supporting the goals and ideals of International Transgender Day of 
                              Visibility.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 30, 2023

  Mr. Schatz (for himself, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Carper, Mrs. 
 Feinstein, Mr. Booker, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Cortez Masto, 
  Mr. Casey, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Markey, Ms. 
Warren, Mr. Welch, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Padilla, Ms. Duckworth, 
  Mrs. Murray, Mr. Fetterman, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Supporting the goals and ideals of International Transgender Day of 
                              Visibility.

Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility was founded in 2009 to honor 
        the achievements and contributions of the transgender community;
Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility is designed to be 
        encompassing of a large community of diverse individuals;
Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility is a time to celebrate the 
        lives and achievements of transgender individuals around the world and 
        to recognize the bravery it takes to live openly and authentically;
Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility is also a time to raise 
        awareness of the discrimination and violence that the transgender 
        community still faces, which make it difficult and even unsafe or fatal 
        for many transgender individuals to be visible;
Whereas the transgender community has suffered oppression disproportionately in 
        many ways, including through--

    (1) discrimination in employment and in the workplace;

    (2) discrimination in educational institutions; and

    (3) violence;

Whereas forms of transgender oppression are exacerbated for transgender 
        individuals of color, individuals with limited resources, immigrants, 
        individuals living with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, and 
        transgender youth;
Whereas a record number of anti-transgender State bills have been introduced in 
        recent years, including more than 700 anti-transgender bills during the 
        years 2021, 2022, and 2023, targeting areas including--

    (1) education, including bans on books and curricula relating to gender 
identity;

    (2) health care; and

    (3) identification documents, including restrictions on realignment or 
correction of birth certificates and other forms of identification 
documents;

Whereas the transgender community has made it clear that transgender individuals 
        will not be erased and deserve to be accorded all of the rights and 
        opportunities made available to all;
Whereas, before the creation of the United States, Indigenous two-spirit, 
        transgender individuals existed across North America in many Native 
        American communities, with specific terms in their own languages for 
        these individuals and the social and spiritual roles they fulfilled in 
        their communities, and, while many traditions were lost or actively 
        suppressed by the efforts of missionaries, government agents, boarding 
        schools, and settlers, these traditions have experienced a revival in 
        recent decades;
Whereas transgender individuals continue to tell their stories and push for full 
        equity under the law;
Whereas the civil rights struggle has been strengthened and inspired by the 
        leadership of the transgender community;
Whereas transgender individuals in the United States have made significant 
        strides in elected office and political representation;
Whereas not fewer than 29 States have at least 1 transgender elected official at 
        the State or municipal level;
Whereas there are 17 transgender, gender-nonconforming, or nonbinary elected 
        officials in State legislatures, specifically--

    (1) Gerri Cannon;

    (2) Emily Dievendorf;

    (3) Leigh Finke;

    (4) S.J. Howell;

    (5) Dominique Johnson;

    (6) Alicia Kozlowski;

    (7) Sarah McBride;

    (8) Samantha Montano;

    (9) Alissandra Murray;

    (10) DeShanna Neal;

    (11) Danica Roem;

    (12) James Roesener;

    (13) Taylor Small;

    (14) Izzy Smith-Wade-El;

    (15) Brianna Titone;

    (16) Mauree Turner; and

    (17) Zooey Zephyr;

Whereas voters in the State of Virginia elected Danica Roem to be the first 
        openly transgender female State legislator in the United States;
Whereas voters in the State of Delaware elected Sarah McBride as the first 
        openly transgender State senator in the United States;
Whereas voters in the State of Oklahoma elected Mauree Turner as the first 
        openly nonbinary State legislator in the United States;
Whereas, in the State of Illinois, Mike Simmons became the first openly gender-
        nonconforming State senator in the United States;
Whereas voters in the State of New Hampshire elected James Roesener as the first 
        openly transgender male State legislator in the United States;
Whereas 8 States have at least 1 transgender jurist on the bench;
Whereas Admiral Rachel L. Levine, M.D., was the first openly transgender Federal 
        official confirmed by the Senate and is the highest ranking openly 
        transgender Federal Government official in the history of the United 
        States;
Whereas more transgender individuals are appearing in movies, on television, and 
        in all forms of media, raising awareness of their experiences and the 
        importance of living authentically;
Whereas transgender individuals have created culture and history as artists, 
        musicians, organizers, and leaders; and
Whereas International Transgender Day of Visibility is a time to celebrate the 
        transgender community around the world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of International 
        Transgender Day of Visibility;
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        International Transgender Day of Visibility with appropriate 
        ceremonies, programs, and activities;
            (3) celebrates the accomplishments and leadership of 
        transgender individuals; and
            (4) recognizes the bravery of the transgender community as 
        it fights for equal dignity and respect.
                                 <all>
```